







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| Is it possible to move in tomorrow? | |
| I want to be sober and energetic for tomorrow. | |
| Do they weigh them here or at the checkout? | |
| Yes, it seems more logical in this case. | |
| Hello dear, how is it going, do you need any help? | |
| These days I'm into 60's, 70's remixes. | |
| I guess so, but I want to finish seeing all the houses today. | |
| In these cases, Pogo stays home alone with no food and no attention. | |
| In the recipe it says 600g. | |
| This is the last one and, unfortunately, it has a hole in it. | |
| Why do you want to live there? | |
| I don't know, maybe it helps a bit! | |
| Is it hay fever? I've got some pills for it! | |
| Erm... You look about 30? | |
| I like some Jamiroquai songs, but not all of them. | |
| Well, that's another problem! | |
| Do you have any sisters or brothers? | |
| No, I'm a real estate agent. | |
| There is a little market near the school. | |
| Yeah, I'll have a beer, I guess you want wine, Cate? | |